recipe for easy granola
Unbelievably, it’s been nine years since I (Ella) first created this family-favorite recipe. Little baby me was just 13! Honestly, I can still taste the childhood magic of it all. This original granola recipe became a rite of passage as I learned then what foods made me feel good and strong – both in life and while training as a dancer. ❤️ Believe me, I’ve taken this recipe and the knowledge I learned with me into adulthood. This recipe for easy granola makes for a perfect one-bowl breakfast or snack that is still high on my list of favorites!
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As a junior in college this year, it’s the first time I’ve had a full kitchen. Aaaand it’s been a game-changer for me! Having had little control over my food choices (or the cost of room & board 😱), I can finally make childhood favs like this recipe for easy granola and eat food I choose and want. It’s surprisingly (maybe not shocking) hard to find GF, much less a decent chicken breast or non-mushy vegetable, in a dining center.
What do you need to make this recipe for easy granola?
When I made this recipe years ago, I knew I wanted less of a few ingredients. I’ve always found granola, store-bought and homemade, a little too sweet for my preference, so I experimented with less sugar when recipe testing. More importantly, gluten-free safe ingredients were a must-have in our house because of allergies, so we researched and ensured this would to be gluten-free granola all the way through. Last of all, I simplified the amount of ingredients in my recipe. While I like my mom’s nut-filled granola recipe, my recipe for easy granola is my college-life go-to because it uses fewer items, so my corner of the cupboard (and budget!) can hold.
With these wants/needs in mind, I said goodbye to ingredients like wheat germ, fillers, flours, and oats processed in shared facilities with wheat and hello to gluten-free oat bran, gluten-free oats, and a bit of honey instead of large doses of other added sugars or syrups. I love what Jennifer Anderson, RDN of Kids Eat in Color, articulates about sugar and kids, and the reframes help me now, too!
Here’s what you need for this recipe for easy granola:
Gather these simple ingredients:
My mom recently sent me a Thrive grocery box at school with all the above ingredients for me to make granola! 😍 (With free shipping too!) Want to send someone you love a granola ❤️ box? Get my Thrive grocery list and add what you need.
New to Thrive Market? Get 30% off your first order + a free gift when you join Thrive Market. We’ve been a member for years and save $$$$ every year! See why my mom (Heather) calls Thrive her pantry assistant!
Why I love this recipe for easy granola!
From kid to adult, this crunchy and easy-to-make gluten-free granola is the perfect meal prep for the week. I love it for breakfast and a snack. My go-to is plain full-fat yogurt + a drizzle of honey + a sprinkle of fresh berries.
Our Favorite
Ways to eat granola:
Certainly, when I’m home for the summer, berries from our favorite farm are all we want on top of our granola bowl, but until then, any fresh fruit in season or chopped dried fruit will do.
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Make this recipe for gluten-free granola with me:
First, measure and pour all dry ingredients into a large bowl!
Tip
From Heather!
- I love blanched and slivered almonds in this recipe, too. However, I can’t always find certified gluten-free nuts locally. I try to keep nuts stocked from nuts.com because we love them for their gluten-safe labeling and transparency. If you have whole almonds or another nut like pecans, rough chop them up and toss them in as a substitute for slivered almonds. Both will taste great!
Secondly, melt the butter and whisk all liquid ingredients in a measuring cup.
Next, stir the wet ingredients into the dry granola until thoroughly combined and all the granola is slightly wet.
Last, see the recipe below for pan prep and baking instructions!
Before you know it, this sea of toasted granola will be staring back at you!
Ella’s recipe snapshot
EASE: Bake it while you study, work, or read!
PROS: Cinnamon smells up my apartment!
CONS: Jealous roommates.
WOULD I MAKE THIS AGAIN? Already the plan! 🙌
Recipe for easy granola with toasted oats, coconut, and almonds
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cup oats
- 2/3 cup slivered raw almonds (Or any roughly chopped nuts you'd like!)
- 1/2 cup oat bran
- 1 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes or chips
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted or coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons honey, brown rice syrup, or maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°.
- Oil or butter a rimmed cookie sheet. If your butter is hard, add a tablespoon to your sheet pan and set in oven to melt for a few minutes.
- Mix the oats, almonds, oat bran, coconut flakes, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl whisk together apple juice, honey, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ones and mix well.
- Spread out evenly on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 45 minutes total, stirring well every 15 minutes, then return to oven. It should be golden brown and toasted.
- Stir finished granola and let it cool in pan. When cool, put into storage container with a tight lid. We love mason jars! Store at room temperature for up to a week or in the fridge for up to two.
Equipment
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Nutrition
FAQs about this recipe for easy granola!
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XO
Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Heather Bursch
E and H — the timing of this post is just too perfect!!
I came back to a big bag of oats leftover from our visitors over Christmas and have been wanting to make that yummy granola of yours all week. Plus, wheat germ is hard to find over here, so I love the substitution of more oat bran instead. Thanks for saving me digging through my emails to find the recipe – I can’t wait to try this one instead 🙂 And yum, blueberries are finally in season over here too!! xo – Kristin
Hey Kristin! I love granola and I love sharing my recipe with you!! I wish we could have some of your blueberries too. 🙂 Ella